Sermon Central
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Soul Care 4 Series
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 23, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: You soul needs to be healthy and whole if you want a successful life. But to do this requires soul searching on our part as well as soul care. Soul care is our responsibility so we need to make sure that we do it regularly.
Testimonies: Melinda, Tom, Rochelle, myself
Soul Care pt. 4
Opening Video Illustration: Soul Surfer – The Bethany Hamilton Story
Quotes on Power point by Bethany:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe He gave me the passion and determination to continue
surfing. You fall off the horse, and you get back on. I had to go for it.” Bethany Hamilton
Series: Acts Too – Soul Care
Thesis: You soul needs to be healthy and whole if you want a successful life. But to do this
requires soul searching on our part as well as soul care. Soul care is our responsibility so we
need to make sure that we do it regularly.
“How is your soul moving into this new year?”
Jesus said in Matthew 16:26: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet
forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
Jesus said in Matthew 22:37: Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind."
Jesus emphasized the importance of your soul not just in eternity but it's health in the here and
now! Your eternal and spiritual success this year depends on the condition of your soul!
John Orberg states this about our souls, "If your soul is healthy, no external circumstance can
destroy your life. If your soul is unhealthy, no external circumstance can redeem your life (Pg
40, Soul Keeping).
Definition of the soul:
My definition: The soul reflects the sum of your Spirit, Soul and Body as a whole being. It is the
link between spirit and body and is the operating system of your life. It encompasses your
mind, your will, your decision making process, your perceptions, your emotions, your spirit,
your feelings, your physical appetites, your addictions, your desires and it is the control center
in your life and it will always impact your daily life. It has been defined as "life" in the Bible in
certain passages and as that which longs after God or for a substitute for God like and idol. You
don't have a soul you are a soul!
Ortberg: The soul is what integrates separate functions into a single, organic, whole creature.
That's why the search for harmony and integration and connectedness is a "soul" function.The
soul is the deepest dimension of our existence. It captures the reality of life before God in a way
that the word self does not. Think of the difference between the words soul-ish and
selfish.
I add Spirit which refers more generally to the power or energy that comes from the Holy
Spirit the connection point with God if it is not connected with God it is connected to evil
spirits. The soul is more intertwined with the Spirit and the body and lies at the core of our
mindset and our will. But a soul connected to God and His Spirit is a soul that really has "Life"
Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God knows the condition of our souls! He sees them and He knows them!
Question: What does the Bible say about our souls?
Ortberg: The Bible speaks of the soul often, although more recent translations are much more
likely to substitute words like "life" instead of using the word "soul". One of the most striking and
misunderstood statements about the soul in the Bible is Jesus' observation. What does it profit
a person if they gain the whole world but lose their soul?I always used to think this meant it
does no good to get lot of money and pleasure if you end up going to hell! But that's not what
Jesus is saying. If a soul is broken or mal-functioning, our wills and our values and actual
behavior and our desires and our facial expressions and our secret thoughts will constantly be
at war with each other. We will be incapable of soul satisfaction, let alone a meaningful or
truly good life. Jesus was not telling people to commit to the right religion in order to get their
afterlife taken care of. He was making a brilliantly diagnostic observation about the nature of
human life. The above from http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2014/05/29/johnortberg-shares-every-soul-needs/#sthash.ROIlaGnI.dpuf
Purpose of the Series:
Acts Too: The book of Acts is filled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Chapter 2 on the
first disciples and signifies the birth of the church. The churches early years are filled with
